Josh Greening runs off after scoring the last minute winner for Tadcaster at Retford. Picture: Ian Parker
Josh Greening scored the dramatic last minute winner for leaders Tadcaster Albion in the solitary goal victory at Retford United.
It was clear from the outset that The Badgers were looking to frustrate Tadcaster by gathering numbers behind the ball and making the pitch as congested as possible.
But, Chris Sellars’ side deserve a lot of credit for their display which almost earned them a point. One of their star men was Mark ‘Willy’ Wilson, who is still putting a shift in a 43-years-old.
Adam Baker was the man to have the first sights at Retford’s goal as Nick Black’s cross was controlled by the winger and hit powerfully towards goal but a good block by Craig Laight denied the strike hitting the target and testing goalkeeper Richard Watson.
The home side tried to hit Taddy on the break and they came close after quarter of an hour as young striker Brad Kerr’s audacious volley whistled just over the crossbar.
However it was the visitors who were still in complete control and came close again five minutes later as Matt Heath, who already has four goals this season from centre half nearly made it five but his header bounced just the wrong side of the post.
The best chance of the half fell to Greening after 25 minutes as Liam Ormsby curled a ball over the top to Greening who cut back inside onto his favoured left-foot but his close range shot was well saved by Watson in the Retford goal.
The second half started in the same vein as the first with Taddy pushing forward to break the deadlock and just five minutes into the half Greening was set free in behind down the right but his shot was right at the keeper.
In the second half, Mark Waters spurned a rare half chance for the Badgers just two minutes later as the midfielder spun and shot in one movement however the effort was comfortably wide of the mark.
Eleven minutes into the second half and Retford’s chances of getting anything from the match became even slimmer as they were reduced to 10 men. Greening pounced upon a ball played in behind Retford’s back-line and when the attacker touched the ball away, he was wiped out by Laight as Greening was last man the referee had no choice but to issue the red card.
The home side though they kept plugging away and could have taken the lead on the hour mark but Gary Stevens made himself big and thwarted debutant Jason Bradley’s one-on-one strike to keep it goalless.
There was then late drama with 89 minutes on the watch as Taddy finally wore down Retford’s back-line and found the back of the net. The ball was flicked up in the air, Carl Stewart headed downwards into a dangerous area and Greening popped up and slotted it into the bottom corner to keep Tadcaster top of the league.
Retford United starting X1: Watson, Hardman, Johnson, Sellars, Laigh, Lycett, Waters, Wilson, Lee (captain), Kerr, Carter.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Clayton (Conway 71), Milne, Heath, Mycoe, Greening, Ormsby (Claisse 85), Black (Stewart 71), Beadle (captain), Baker. Subs Unused: Beestin & Woodhead.
Thanks to Jay Taylor for this report.
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